Containers and openers therefor



June

Filed 1 III M 1 ll il :Wllllllllllllllgffl March 9, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheetl June 30, 1964 P. BOGNER 3,139,211

CONTAINERS AND OPENERS THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 9, 960

June 30, 1964 P. BOGNER CONTAINERS AND OPENERS THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed March 9. 1960 June 30, 1964 P. BOGNER CONTAINERS AND OPENERSTHEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 9, 1960 INVENTOR. 20 fifeflflyizerma /271 a? June 30, 1964 P. BOGNER 3,139,211

CONTAINERS AND OPENERS THEREFOR Filed March 9, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 240INVENTOR.

June 30, 1964 P. BOGNER 3,139,211

CONTAINERS AND OPENERS THEREFOR Filed March 9, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I l1 Z35 1 j IAZENTORkeI Z5 BY?- United States Patent Filed Mar. 9, 1960,Ser. No. 13,883 3 Claims. (Cl. 220-48) The present invention relates tocontainers, particularly sheet metal containers of the type which arecommon- 1y called tin cans. The widespread and extensive use of suchcontainers or cans in many phases of the economy has given rise to alarge and highly active can making industry. This industry has devotedan enormous amount of eifort over a long period to improving cans andcan making technology. Yet, conventional cans adapted for production anduse on a mass production basis are subject to shortcomings, which arethe concern of this invention.

In general, containers or cans of the type to which the presentinvention relates comprise a container body defining a peripheral wallwhich is usually cylindrical. At least one end of the container isclosed by a cover which is attached to the container body by aperipheral scam in which an annular hook element on the cover isinterfolded and interlocked with an annular hook element on the adjacentmarginal edge of the body. Ordinarily, the other end of the container isclosed by another cover similarly applied to the container body.

- One object of the invention is to provide a container of the abovecharacter having a new and improved construction which provides foropening of the container in a highly advantageous manner that can beperformed effectively and efficiently by a very simple can opener.

Another object is to provide an improved container, of the characterrecited, which is adapted to beopened by a shearing cutter that movesradially inward across the axially outer end of a body hook of thecontainer to shear off the hook of the adjoined cover as the cuttermoves circumferentially around the container, and which has an improvedconstruction that facilitates holding of the cutter in an optimum axialposition for cutting by means of simple cutter operating structure whileat the same time obviating problems of jamming of the cutter tainer.

Another object is to provide a container, as recited, in which anannular cutter reception space is defined in an end seam of thecontainer adjacent the outer axial extremity of the coacting body hookby structure which provides for radial movement into the space of ashearing cutter which is only lightly held against axial displacementalong the axis of the container while being moved circumferentiallyaround the container in axial alinement with the cutter receiving space.

Another object is to provide a container having a new and improved endseam construction in which an annular shear cutter receiving space isdefined adjacent the outer axial extremity of the coacting body hook,and by which guiding into the space of a circumferentially moving cutterlightly held against axial displacement'relative to the container isprovided by an annular portion of the cover hook which is protectedagainst deformation by either radial or axial blows.

Another object is to provide a container of the character recited,having an improved end seam construction which provides for a highlyadvantageous severing of the cover hook of the seam adjacent the axiallyouter portion of the coacting body hook by means of an inwardly directedshearing cutter which, by virtue of the improved construction of the endseam, is diverted over the body hook so as to skid along the body bookwithout cutting and cutter operating structure during opening of thecon- 4 3,139,211 Patented June 30, 1964 into the body hook surface orinterfering with subsequent removal. of the cover even thoughthe'cutter' extends radially inward of that portion of the cover hookwhich is severed by the cutter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container of the abovecharacter which has a new and improved peripheral seam construction thatprovides for efficient and unfailing opening of the container bymovement of a cutter blade radially inward through the outer fold of thecover hook, the seam construction being such that movement of the cutterblade through and radially inward of the outer fold of the cover hook asthe cutter is moved circumferentially around the container does notcause any interference with subsequent removal of the container cover.

Another object is to provide a container, as recited in the previousobjects, which has a new and improved construction that provides, uponopening of the container by a special can opener, for convenientreplacement of the cover to reclose thecontainer in a manner whichafiords a highly advantageous, yieldable retention of the cover in placeon the container.

A related object is to provide an improved container adapted to beopened in the manner recited in'the preceding object by means of asimple opener that need not be fabricated to exacting dimensionaltolerances.

Another object is to provide in conjunction with the improved canrecited a new and improved can opener which can be of simple, lightweight construction, and which can be operated manually or by power withgreat ease and efficiency to open the improved cans to maximum advantagein the manner recited in preceding objects.

. Another object is to provide, for opening the improved containerprovided by the invention, an improved can opener which operates withgreat efiiciency and effectiveness to open the container in accordancewith the invention, while at the same time functioning as an incident toopening the container to effect a circumferential swaging of thecontainer cover and the adjacent end of the container wall to enacttogether to facilitate reclosure of the container by replacement of thecover and to effectively yet yieldably hold the replaced cover againstdislodgment from the container.

Another object is to provide, for opening the improved containerrecited, a new and improved can opener which coacts with the containerto sever the cover hook of the container in a highly advantageous mannerwhich assures complete severing of the cover hook while at the same timeproviding for deflection of the cutting element 7 over the body hook toavoid cutting of the body hook or interference with removal of the coverafter severance of the cover hook.

Another object is to provide an improved container or can as recited inthe foregoing objects which can be easily opened by a simple can openerin a manner which completely avoids contamination'of the interior of thecan by the can opener, the can cover, or any operation associated withthe opening procedure, while at the same time completely avoiding entryof any part of the opener into the interior of the car, thus avoidingcontamination of the opener by the contents of the can.

Another object is to provide an improved can in which the features andadvantages recited in the above objects are provided by an improvedconstruction which permits the can to be opened in a conventional mannerby conventional can openers if desired.

Another object is to achieve the previously recited objects by means ofnew and improved container structure which is inherently well adapted tobe manufactured by an inherently simple method that can be performed byconventional can making machinery on a mass production basis with thesame efiiciency and economy that are characteristic of the manufactureof conventional cans lacking the features of the improved container.

Another object is to manufacture a can on a mass production basis in amanner which produces, for the same manufacturing cost as a conventionalcan, an improved "can that provides the features and advantages recitedin preceding objects.

Other objects and advantages will 'be apparent from the followingdescription of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings, inwhich: 7

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container forming an exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scaletaken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary radial sectional view of the container on agreatly enlarged scale showing an end "seam in transverse section;

.FIG. 3A is a fragmentary radial sectional view showing'on a'greatlyenlarged scale critical structural features of'the end seam of the canand the relationship of this structure to a shear cutter;

FIG. 4 is a fragmnetary radial sectional view of a partially formedcover for the container;

FIG. 5 is a radial sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating asecond step in the fabrication of a cover;

FIG. 6 is a radial sectional view of a cover, similar to FIG. 5, andillustrating the rolling of an annular protuberance in the cover inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating the formation ofthe annular protuberance in the cover by an optional pressing operation;FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating an optional creasingoperation in the formation of the cover; FIG. 9 is a fragmentary radialsectional view illustrating a cover resting on the body element of thecontainer in readiness to be sealed in place on the body element;

FIG. 10 is a radial sectional view illustrating a first sealing orrolling operation in securing the cover in place on the container;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but illustrating a second and finalrolling operation in securing the cover on the container;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary radial sectional view of the containerillustrating the opening of the container in accordance with theinvention;

the positional relationship of the shear cutter to the body hook of thecontainer when the shear cutter initially breaks through the cover hook;and

FIG. 24 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 23 illustrating thepositional relationship of the shear cutter to the body hook after theshear cutter has moved radially inward after initially engaging the bodyhook.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the container 20 formingthe exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 has thesame over-all appearance and is used for the same purposes asconventional sheet metal containers which are commonly known as andsometimes referred to as tin cans.

As will presently appear, the improved container or can 20 has a new andimproved construction which provides all the features and advantages ofconventional cans, while at the same time providing for easy opening ofthe improved can in an unconventional manner which affords manyadditional advantages to the user.

In general, the improved can 20 is formed of the same basic sheet metalcomponents as a conventional can. Thus, the can 20 comprises a sheetmetal body 22 which is closed at at least one end by a separately formedsheet metal cover 24. The shape and form of the particular can 20illustrated is typical of most commonly used cans of this type. Thus,the can body 22 has the form of a right, circular cylinder which isfabricated from a rectangular piece of sheet metal fashioned into acylindrical shape and having adjacent longitudinal edges securedtogether by a conventional longitudinal seam 26.

Opposite ends of the container body 22 are closed by two circularcovers, the previously mentioned cover 24 and a second cover 28 on theother end of the can. One of the covers 24, 28 is secured to the body22, usually by the can manufacturer, before the can is filled. The othercover is applied to the body by the canner after the can is filled.

Insofar as the present invention is concerned, the two ends of thecontainer 20, including the two covers 24, 28,

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary radial sectional view of the containerillustrating the removal of the cover after severing of the cover hook;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 but showing the coverreplaced onthe container after having been removed;

FIG. 15 isa perspective view of an improved can opener provided by theinvention for opening the improved container;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the opener of FIG. 15 showing the openerapplied to a container;

' FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale illustrating therelationship to the container structure of coating elements of theopener;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view of four containers stackedtogether; FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a modified form of theimproved can opener provided by the invention and illustrating themanner of application of the can opener to a can;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the can opener of FIG. 19 in adifferent position;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 2121 ofFIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a simplified sectional view taken along the line 22-22 ofFIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view on a greatly enlarged scalecorresponding to FIG. 21 and illustrating can be regarded as beingidentical in construction. It will be understood that in some instancesthe technique and material used in sealing the cover which is firstapplied to the body 22 may be slightly different from those used inapplying the second cover after the container is filled. But, thesedifferences vary from industry to industry and are not material to theinvention here.

The circular cover 24 which closes the top end of the container 20, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a circular central portion 30 which isdimensioned diametrically to fit into the adjacent end of the can body22. This central portion of the cover is similar to correspondingportions of conventional can covers.

Normally, the central portion 30 of the cover 24 is shaped to have inits structure a concentric series of shallow circumferentialcorrugations, which serve functions well understood in this art.However, for the purpose of the present application, this centralportion of the can cover may be regarded as being generally flat.

The cover 24 is secured and sealed to the adjacent end of the containerbody 22 by a peripheral or end seam 32 which extends axially outwardbeyond the central portion 30 of the cover.

In accordance with this invention, the peripheral end seam 32 has a newand improved construction which provides many diverse and extremelyworth while advantages in the manufacture and use of the improved canwithout increasing the manufacturing cost of the containers, as willpresently appear.

The main portion of the container body 22, to which the cover 24 isattached, constitutes a peripheral wall of cylindrical shape extendingbetween opposite ends of the container and identified for convenience inthe drawings by the same reference number 22. For clarity in someinstances, the peripheral wall 22 of the body will be referred to as thebody wall. The end seam 32 anchors the periphery of the cover 24 to abody hook formed on the adjacent marginal edge of the body wall andidentified generally in FIGS. 2 and 3 by the number 34.

The body hook 34 comprises a flange portion 36 of generally cylindricalshape and substantial axial Width which is turned back along the bodywall in radially spaced relation to the wall, as shown in FIG. 3. Theflange 36 is joined to the wall 22 through an annular connecting portion38 of the body hook which is turned progressively'inward from the bodyhook flange through an angle of 180 to merge with the adjacent outer endof the wall 22, as shown in FIG. 3.

The central portion 30 of the cover 24 merges with a raised, generallycylindrical rim portion or chuck wall 40 of the cover which has an axiallength somewhat longer than that of the seam 32. The cover rim portion40, like the central portion 30, is dimensioned to fit within theadjacent outer end of the container body. For the purpose ofdescription, the central portion 30 and the rim portion 40 of the covermay be referred to as the main portion of the cover. Moreover, the rim40 can be regarded as a part of the seam 32.

As shown in the drawings, FIG. 2 for example, the generally cylindricalchuck wall 40 fits snugly against-the inner surface of theadjacent outerend portion of the body wall 22 from the juncture of the body hook 34with the body wall 22 for a substantial distance inward of the junctureof the hook 34 and body wall 22. The end por tion of the body wall 22which is engaged by the chuck wall has a shaping which avoidsconstriction in an axially.

outward direction of the transverse sectional area of the spaceencircled by said wall end portion. This relationship of the partsavoids confinement of the central portion 30 of the cover and the chuckwall 40 by the body wall 22 against axial movement out of the spaceencircled by the body wall 22 even though the chuck wall fits snuglyinside the body wall as shown. v

The cover rim 40 is locked in place on the body 22 by means of a coverhook 42 which is interfolded with the body hook 34 in the constructionof the seam 32, as will be described later. structurally, the cover hook42 comprises an outer flange or fold 44 of a slightly rounded butgenerally cylindrical shape, which closely encircles the body hookflange 36, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This outer fold 44 of the coverhook is joined to the main portion of the cover by an annular connectingsegment 46 of the cover hook which curves around the rounded connectingportion 38 of the body hook to merge with the rim portion 40 of thecover.

The cover hook 42 also includes an inner flange or fold 48 of generallycylindrical shape which is turned under the outer fold 44 to fit betweenthe body hook flange 36 and the wall 22, as shown in FIG. 3. The innerand outer folds of the cover hook are connected together through a 180turn 50 in the cover hook.

Thus, the body hook flange 36 fits between the inner and outer folds orflanges 48, 44 of the cover hook in a manner such that the three flangesmutually overlap for a susbtantial' axial distance along the container.

The cover hook 42 is shaped in relation to the body hook 34 to providefor eflicient and highly advantageous opening of the container by meansof a simple can opener which operates to shear through the cover'hookadjacent the outer end of the seam 32. Moreover, the cover hook isshaped in relation to the body hook to facilitate severing of the coverhook, in the manner recited, by a shearing cutter which is only lightlyheld against axial movement, while being moved circumferentially aroundthe seam 32, to open the container.

In view of the significance of the relationship to the body hook of theshaping of the cover hook, it is helpful to make certain observationsconcerning the shaping of the body hook. Note, with reference to FIG. 3,that the juncture 52 of the body hook flange 36 with the roundedconnecting portion 38 of the body hook is located a substantial distance(with reference to the size of the seam 32) axially inward from theaxially outermost extremity of the body hook. As viewed in radialsection, FIG. 3, the connecting portion 38 of the body hook curvesthrough an approximately one-half of a full turn from its juncture 52with the body hook flange 36 to its merging connection with the bodywall 22. This rounded connecting portion 38 of the body hook defines anouter rounded surface 54 which, in radial section, has a substantiallysemicircular shape and which breaks radially inward from the juncture 52of the connecting portion 38 with the flange 36. I

The annular portion of the connecting segments 46 of the cover hookwhich encircles the rounded surface 54 of the body hook is shaped todefine a narrow protuberance 56 rising outwardly from the surface 54,but externally confined radially within the radial limits of the outerfold 44 of the cover hook, .and externally confined axially within theaxial limits of the structure of the connecting segment 46 of the coverhook, other than that portion of the connecting segment which forms theprotuberance. Thus, the annular protuberance 56 and the curving surface54 on the body hook define therebetween an annular space 58 which, aswill presently appear, serves to accommodate the inner edge of ashearing cutter used to open the container.

The protuberance 56, as viewed in radial section, FIG. 3A; is sharplycurved into an outwarldy convex shape anddefines an annular externalsurface 62 of convex shape. The opposite circumferential edges of theprotuberance 56 are connected to the adjacent portions of the cover hookthrough two annular portions 64, 66 of the cover hook which arereversely curved with respect to the protuberance 56 to define twoannular external surfaces 68, 70, which are concave in transversesection. The two concave annular surfaces 68, 70, thus define,respectively, two circumferential indentations, also denoted by thenumbers 68 and 70,. for convenience, which adjoin the convex externalsurface 62 of the protuberance 56.

The indentation identified by the number 70 is located between theradially outermost extremity of the protuberance 56 and the outer fold44 of the cover hook. The minimum radius of the indentation70 withreference to the axis of the container is somewhat less than thecorresponding maximum radius of the external protuberance surface 62.

It is also significant that the annular indentation 70 has a minimumradius with respect to the axis of the container at a position along theaxis of the container which is located axially beyond or outwardly fromthe juncture 52 of the body hook surface 54 with the body hook flange36. Put another way, the low point of the indentation 70, as viewed inradial section, is located axially outward of the position in which thebody hook surface 54 starts to turn radially inward The annular space 58in the end seam 32 is encircled at least in part by a shear segment 74of the connecting segment 46 of the cover hook. The annular shearsegment 74 has a Width extending a substantial distance along the axisof the container and defines an external annular boundary surface 76which has a Width extending from the trough of the indentation 70 upalong a portion of the adjacent edge of the protuberance 56.

As will be described presently, the boundary surface 76 is adapted to beengaged by the edge of a shear cut-' ter which shears through the shearsegment 74 toward the rounded surface 54 of the body hook to enter theannular space 58.

As viewed in transverse section, the boundary surface 76 has, a maximumslope with reference to the axis .of the container which is suflicientlygentle to provide for piercing of the boundary surface by a shear cutterwhich is only lightly held against movement along the axis of thecontainer while being moved radially into engagement with the boundarysurface. Put another way, the boundary surface 76 is inclined away froma perpendicular to the axis of the container to a degree which pro- 7videsnfor' easy piercing of the boundary surface by 'a shear cutterwhich is onlylightly held against axial dis placement in relation to thecontainer. The sifinificance of this construction has many aspects whichwill be referred to later.

The container or can just described is adapted to be opened in anunconventional manner which provides many extremely worth whileadvantages to the user. Moreover, the container is suited to be openedin this highly advantageous manner by means of an extremely simplemanually operated can opener, which will be described later.

At this point, the significance of the improved construction of thecontainer in providing for the highly advantageous unconventionalopening of the can will be de-, scribed in relation to FIG. 12 whichillustrates the relationship to the can of coacting components of a canopener.

As shown in 'FIG.'12, a rotary shear blade 80 is moved radially towardthe end seam 32 of the container 20, to engage a pointed shearing edge82 on the cutter with the previously described boundary surface 76formed by the annular shear segments 74 of the cover book 42. SeeFIG.'3A.

Engagement of the cutter 80 with the end seam 32 is effected by a pairof end seam engaging rollers 84, 86. As shown, the cutter 80 is fixed tothe top of the roller 86 which is designed to fit against the outer fold44 of the cover hook. A radial shoulder 88 on the lower end of theroller 86 underlies the underside of the curved portion 50 of the coverhook which connects the inner and outer folds 48, 44 of the cover hook.

The other roller 84 comprises a barrel-shaped body 87 defining anexternal surface, convex in longitudinal section, which is forcedradially against the rim 40 of the cover to support the end seam 32against the cutter. The roller 84 effects an advantageous shaping of therim 40, which will be described later. An annular flange 89 on the upperend of the roller 84 extends over the top of the cover hook, as shown.

Because of the previously described gentle slope of the boundary surface76 along the axis of the container, only a relatively light axial forceis required to hold the cutter 80 against axial displacement along thecontainer and cause the cutter, when moved radially inward, to piercethe boundary surface 76 and shear radially through the boundary segment74. Put another way, the tendency of the boundary surface 74, whenengaged by the cutter 80, to jam the cutter along the axis of thecontainer is not great and does not create problems of binding betweenthe end seam 32 and the coacting parts which engage the end seam.

In moving radially inward through the shear segment 74, which encirclesa portion of the annular space 58, the cutter edge 82 breaks through ashear segment 74 into the space 58 at a position along the axis of thecontainer in which the cutter edge opposes the inwardly curving surface54 of the rounded connecting segment 38 of the body hook. This is verysignificant in providing practical assurance that the cover hook issheared all the way through, while at the same time avoidinginterference with removal of the cover even if the cutter edge 82continues a substantial distance radially inward after shearing throughthe shear segment 74. In appreciating the significance of this, it isnecessary to bear in mind the problems involved. In the first place, itis necessary to provide assurance that the cutter shears all the waythrough the cover hook. If the cutter fails to completely sever thecover hook which may be approximately ten thousandths of an inch thick,the cover cannot be lifted off.v On the other hand, if the shearing edge82 extends through the cover hook and pierces the outer flange 36 f thebody hook, this can cause the severed edge of the cover hook to beswaged and locked into the indentation made by the cutter in the bodyhook. In this event,

the cover cannot be lifted off, even though the cover hook is completelysevered.

It will be understood, in this connection, that the cover hook of theimproved container is severed all the Way around the container by theshearing cutter which is, after being moved radially inward to shearthrough the cover hook edge, as described, moved circumferentially allthe way around the end seam. .Moreover, the cutter rolls into engagementwith the boundary surface 76 as the cutter progresses around thecontainer.

Complete severing of the cover hook by the cutter 80 is assured bydimensioning the cutter in relation to the coacting roller '86 so thatthe cutter edge 82 extends through and somewhat inwardly of the shearsegment 74 of the cover hook. Yet, because of the special constructionof the cover hook in relation to the body hook, continued movement ofthe cutter edge 82 radially inward after severing the cover hook doesnot interfere with removal of the cover. edge 82 of the cutter,harmlessly enters the space 58 and opposes the curved body hook portion54 which does not readily form an interlocking relationship with thesevered cover hook edge;

1 Continued movement of the cutter edge 82 radially inward after thecutter edge breaks through the inner sur-' face of the shear segment 74causes the shearing edge to engage the rounded surface 54 of theconnecting segment 38 of the body hook. Because of the angle of therounded body hook surface 54 relative to the shearing edge 82, theshearing edge does not cut into the body hook surface 54 but is divertedor cammed somewhat axially outward in relation to the body hookconnecting portion 38. The pressure of the cutter 80 on the body hookconnecting portion 38 depresses this portion of the body hook somewhatand displaces it out of the path of the shearing edge 82 as the shearingedge is diverted slidably across the body hook surface 54, so as not toburr into this portion of the body hook.

In this connection, it is noteworthy, with reference to FIG. 12, that aslight initial axial space between the cutter roller flange 88 and theinner turn 50 of the seam 32 provides clearance fora slight axialdisplacement of the cutter 80 to pass over the body hook connectingportion 38 after the shearing edge 82 has cut through the shearingsegment 74 to engage thecurved body hook surface 54, as described. 7

Thus, the improved container structure and the container openingelements illustrated in FIG. 12 cooperate to assure severing of thecover hook in the manner described, while at the same time avoidingcutting of thebody hook and interlocking'the severed edge of the coverwith the body hook in a manner such that the cover can not be removed. i

As shown in FIG. 12, the cutter 80'has a bevel sloping axially outwardfrom the shearing edge 82. This causes'the protuberance 56, after beingsheared off from theflange -44, to be flattened and cammed somewhataxially outward, as illustrated in FIG. 12. After the cutter 80 has beenmoved radially inward to shear through the shearing segment 74, asrecited, the roller 86 and cuter 80 are rotated to carry the rollers 84and 86 and cutter 80 circumferentially around the container. 'The effectof this is to progressively sever the connecting segment 46 of the coverhook circumferentially around the container at the juncture of theprotuberance 56 with the cover hook fold 44. This progressive severingis caused by shearing of the cutter edge 82'through the shear seg-' ment74 coupled with a tearing of the cover hook by the progressive upwarddisplacement of the adjacent portion of the protuberance 56 as it issevered from the cover hook flange 44.

I Thus, circumferential movement .of the cutter 80 all the way aroundthe container severs the cover hook connecting portion 46 from the coverhook flange 44, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 14, to perrnit'the cover24 to be'easily lifted from the, container. 1

This arises fromthe fact that the In this connection, it should bepointed out that the end seam 32 is sealed by a sealing compound 96 in amanner such that the sealing compound is confined to spaces between theouter fold 44 of the cover hook and the body wall 22. In particular, thesealing compound is kept out from between the body hook and the portionof the cover hook which remains attached to the central portion of thecover when the cover is severed from the outer cover hook fold 44, asdescribed. Hence, the seal ing of the can is broken upon severing of thecover, allowing the cover to be easily removed, as recited.

Opening of the container in the manner described provides many worthwhile advantages to the user. In contrast to the manner in which suchcontainers are conventionally opened, the cutter 80 moving radially intothe space 58 is not contaminated by the contents of the container anddoes not contaminate the contents of the container. Moreover, the coveritself after being severed by a can opener remains in place, theconnecting portion 46 of the cover hook flange projecting radiallyoutward over the body hook 34-, as shown in FIG. 14. Hence, the coverdoes not drop into the can to become contaminated or to contaminatethe'contents of the can.

Moreover, there are no sharp edges left on either the cover or thecontainer when the container is opened. The outer fold 44- of the bodyhook is cut on smooth with the adjacent portion of the body hook. Thesevered edge of the cover hook connecting portion 4a is turned radiallyinward by the cutter into the interior of the protuberance 56 in amanner such that the raw edge of the cover is protected by the roundedprotuberance.

Removal of the cover after opening of the container is illustrated inFIG. 13. If desired, the container can be subsequently used to serve thepurpose of a covered canister, so that the cover serves as a convenientlid which can be readily replaced on the container, as illustrated inFIG. 14. This, of course, is of decided advantage in instances when itis desired to store a part of the contents of the can. The replacedcover fits snugly in place and serves as an excellent protector whichkeeps foreign matter out of the container.

Not only does the replaced cover 24 fit snugly in place, when replacedon the end of the container to serve as a cover, but it is yieldablyheldin place by a shaping of the cover rim 4% and the adjacent annularportion of the body 22, as an incident to opening the can.

Thus, as previously mentioned, the depending portion of the roller 84,FIG. 12, which engages the cover rim 40 in the can opening operation hasa convex orbarrel shape. The force of this barrel shaped roller elementapplied radially outward against the rim 46 causes the rim to swellradially outward somewhat between the central portion 34) of the coverand the connecting segment 46 of the body hook. This produces a slightresidual deformation of the rim 40, so that it has a diameter along itsaxial mid-portion which is slightly greater than that at its axiallyouter end, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14.

Moreover, the axially outward force of the roller element 87 istransmitted through the cover rim 4% to swell ,the body wall 22 radiallyoutward below the body hook connecting portion 38.

The extent to which the rim 40 and the adjacent portion of the body wallare deformed in this manner as an incident to severing the cover hook islimited to produce only a very limited yieldable retention of the coverin place after the cover hook has been severed. Hence, the cover can beeasily pulled out of the container.

Yet, when the cover is replaced, the residual deformation of the rim 40to have its mid-portion swelled radially outward causes the cover to beyieldably held against dislodgement after it has been replaced on thecontainer, as shown in FIG. 14.

The roller 84 which backs up the portion of the end seam 32 engaged bythe cutter 80 rotates about its own axis as the opening progresses. Thisroller can be replaced by a sliding shoe designed to serve the samepurthe adjacent containers.

10 pose. Such a sliding shoe would have a shape in transverse radialsection generally similar to thatof the roller 84, as shownin FIG. 12.Thus, it would have a convex rirn engaging portion adapted to pressslidably against the rim 40 and swage it outwardly below the cover hooksegment 46 as the shoe moves circumferentiall-y around the end seam.

The great ease and reliability of the action of a simple can opener inopening the improved container in the manner described are of primeimportance in providing widespread acceptability of the improvedcontainer which affords the many worthwhile advantages previouslyreferred to.

A further and most significant consideration is the fact that thepreviously described construction of the container provides goodprotection for the protuberance 56 on th end seam against impact andother forces applied from either a radial or an axial direction. Thus,as previously recited, the protuberance 56, even though being. turnedoutwardly from the body hook to define the annular space .58, does notproject radially beyond the outer fold 44 of the cover hook, and doesnot project axially beyond the remaining portion of the connectingsegment 46 of the cover hook.

Thus, when a numberof containers are stacked together in side by siderelation to-each other, as shown in the transverse sectional view offour containers stacked together in FIG. 18, none of the protuberances56 on any of the containers is subject to abuse by engagement withHence, the protuberances 56 on opposite ends of the containers will notbe deformed or distorted out of shape during normal handling of thecontainers, including shipping of the containers in cartons, whereadjacent containers rub against each other. Consequently, the shaping ofthe critical boundary surface 74 and the shaping of the protuberance 56and indentation 79 on each end seam will not be distorted. i

It will be appreciated that a most significant consideration determiningthe over-all utility of a mass produced container of this type is themanufacturing cost of the container and its adaptability to be used on amass production basis by canners. Herein lies one of the greatestvirtues of the improved container. As will presentlyappear, it can bemanufactured with the same speed and ease as a conventional can and atthe same cost as a conventional can. Moreover, the improved containercan be assembled by the canner wth the same machinery used in theassembling of conventional containers. As a consequence, the advantagesof the improved container over conventional containers are a net gain.

In this connection, it should be noted specifically that the end seam 32of the improved container has the same over-all shape and form as theend seam on conventional containers, thus providing for opening of thecan, if desired, by conventional can openers in the conventional 'way.

The invention provides a method of manufacturing'the cans which does notincrease the cost of the cans above that of the conventional cans.

As previously intimated, the body 22 of the improved container has thesame physical construction as the body element in a conventionalcontainer. It is manufactured from a rectangular blank of sheet metal inthe same manner asthe body element of a conventionalcan. That is, thebody element blank-is curved into a cylindrical form and adjacentlongitudinal edges are seamed together. Opposite ends of the bodyelement are curled radially outward to form incipient body hooks. Onesuch incipient body hook is illustrated in FIG. 9, and identified by thereference number 92.

The cover 24 is stamped from sheet metal and shaped by stamping dies tohave the form in radial section illustrated in FIG. 4.

This stamping operation forms the rim 40 on the circular central portion30 of the cover blank. The edgeof the rim 40 remote from the centralportion 30 merges with a radially extending flange which is designatedgenerally by the number 94 in FIG. 4. This over-all flange has agenerally flat, annular inner portion 96 which is integrally joinedthrough a 90 turn 98 with the rim 40. An outer, annular portion 100 ofthe flange 94 has a generally flat shape and is axially otfset from theinner flange portion 96 toward the plane of the central portion 30 ofthe cover blank.

The offset outer flange portion 100 is larger in diameter than the innerflange portion 96 and is connected with the inner flange portion throughan intervening flange portion 102 which merges through reverse curves104, 106 with the inner and outer flange portions. Because of thisconstruction, the intervening flange portion 102 has a width between theinner and outer flange portions 96 and 100 which exceeds the spacing ofthe inner and outer flange portions along a radius from the axis of thecover. As will presently appear, the width of the intervening flangeportion 102 which is in excess of the radial spacing between the innerand outer flange portions 96 and 100 provides material in the flange 94for forming the annular protuberance 56 in the cover in a manner to bedescribed.

The outer periphery of the flange 94, as shown in FIG. 4, is turnedtoward the plane of the central cover portion 30 to form an incipienthook portion 108.

In a succeeding step in the formation of the cover 24, the hook 108 iscurled radially inward to a substantially greater degree, as illustratedin FIG. 5. At this stage, in the formation of the cover, the extremeedge of the hook 108 is turned radially inward of the radially outermostportion of the hook.

In a succeeding step in the formation of the cover, the annularprotuberance 56, previously referred to in the description of theimproved container, is rolled in the cover blank flange 94 adjacent thejuncture of the inner portion 96 with the intervening portion 102 of theflange 94. Moreover, the protuberance 56 isformed by coacting dies whichalso shape the flange 94 to form the reverse bends 64, 66 locatedadjacent opposite circumferential edges of the protuberance, aspreviously described As shown in FIG. 6, the protuberance 56 and theadjoining bends 64, 66 are formed by a pair of opposed roller dies,including a female die roller 110 defining a groove 112 and a male die114 defining a peripheral protuberance 116, designed to force theadjacent portion of the flange up into the female die groove 112. Thisrolling operation is a very simple procedure which can be readilycarried out by can making technology well known to those skilled in theart.

As an alternative to rolling the protuberance 56 in the cover blankflange 94, the protuberance may be formed in a press by means of a pairof cylindrical dies 118, 120, shown in cross-section in FIG. 7. The die120 is a female die defining an annular groove 122 which receives thecover hook protuberance 56 which is pressed upwardly into the die 120 byan annular die protuberance 124 formed on the coacting male die 118.

The two dies 118 and 120, which are designed to be moved endwise withrespect to each other by a press, or the like, also form the reversecurves 64, 66 in the cover blank flange, This procedure, too, can bereadily carried out by those skilled in the art, as an alternative tothe protuberance forming step illustrated in FIG. 6.-

An optional step in the formation of the cover is illustrated in FIG. 8,which shows the curvature of the reverse curved portion 66 beingsharpened by a creasing opera-.

Before the cover is applied to the body element 22, a sealing compoundis applied in a conventional manner to the inner surface of the hookelement 108 on the outer periphery of the cover flange 94. The manner ofapplying the sealing compound 90 is conventional. However, the compoundis applied in such a manner that it is concentrated in the most concaveportion of the hook 108, with no sealing compound being placed on theinner surface of the protuberance 56 or the cover surface radiallyinward of the protuberance 56. Preferably, the distribution of thesealing compound 90 along the inner surface of the flange 94 is suchthat the radially innermost extremity of the deposit of compound on theflange is spaced a substantial distance outward of the protuberance 56,as shown in FIG. 9. The purpose of this is to keep sealing compound frombetween the body hook and the portion of the cover which is removed fromthe can upon opening the can in the manner described.

Up to this point, the steps involved in manufacturing the improvedcontainer can be performed in the can manufacturing factory. Theadditional steps involved in forming the protuberance 56 in the coverblank are well adapted to be performed by automatic machinery at a highproduction rate which does not slow down the production of the covers.The efiiciency with which this can be accomplished reduces the cost ofthese additional steps to only a nominal value which does notsignificantly increase the cost of the covers.

The cover blank produced in the manner described, and illustrated inFIG. 9, is applied to the body element 22 of the container in the samemanner that conventional covers are applied to identical body elements.Normally, one cover is applied to a double-ended can in the can factory.The fact that this cover can be applied in the same manner as aconventional cover is significant. However, the significance of this isovershadowed by the fact that the second cover can be applied by thecanners by using the same machinery in the same manner as it is used inthe attachment of conventional covers. Consequently, it is unnecessaryfor the canner to supply himself with additional machinery, or to modifyhis operating technique in order to obtain the advantages of theimproved container. As will appear, the only changeover required by thecanner is the replacement of cover sealing dies by special dies of asimple character, an operation which is quite easy to perform, and whichinvolves only the nominal expense of new dies.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the first step in applyinga cover to a container body element, after the cover is placed on thebody element, as shown in FIG. 9, is illustrated in FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 10, the hook element 108 on the cover flange 94 isturned further under the main portion of the flange, and the flange isswung bodily, radially inward toward the body wall 22 against theincipient body hook 92, by means of a first cover applying roller or die130. The upper edge of the roller includes a radially projectingshoulder 132 adapted to fit slidably over the top of the end seam to beformed. A somewhat shorter radial shoulder 134 is designed to fit underthe end seam to be formed. A somewhat concave annular pocket 136 formedin the roller 130 adjacent the shoulder 134 is adapted to engage thecover flange hook 108 and turn the hook under the main portion of thecover flange, as recited. An annular relief 138 formed in the roller 130adjacent the shoulder 132 provides clearance for the protuberance 56 onthe flange, to avoid distortion of the protuberance by the roller as theroller swings the flange bodily toward the body element 22 to theposition shown in FIG. 10.

In general, the roller 130 is similar to that used to perform similarcover attaching steps in the attachment of a conventional cover, exceptthat the roller 130 is specially shaped to avoid damaging theprotuberance 56, as recited.

The second step in sealing the cover in place on the body element isillustrated in FIG. 11, in which a roller 140 is applied radially to thecover flange to force it firmly against the body element 22 tocompletion formation of the end seam 32. It may be noted that the roller140 includes a radial shoulder 142 which projects across the outer endof'the seam 32 and an inner shoulder 144 which fits under the seamformed. A generally cylindrical intermediate surface 146 on the roller140 forces the inner and outer folds 48, 44 of the cover hook and theflange 36 of the body hook into their final cylindrical form. An annularrecess 148 formed in the roller 140 adjacent the outer shoulder 142provides clearance for the cover hook protuberance 56.

As previously intimated, the two cover applying operations illustratedin FIGS. '10 and 11 are performed by the canner with the same ease andfacility and by using the same machinery as that employed in theapplication of covers to conventional cans.

A simple and highly efiicient can opener, provided by the invention foropening the improved can in the manner described, is illustrated inFIGS. to 17.

In the preferred construction shown, the can opener 150 provided forthis purpose comprises an end seam back-up roller 152 journalled on alaterally projecting car 154 formed on one end of an elongated handle156. The back-up roller 152 itself comprises a generally cylindricalportion 157, FIG. 17, adapted to fit against the inner surface of therim 40 of the can cover 24. An annular shoulder 158 on the roller 152projects radially outward into overlying relation to the top of the seam32.

A rotary shearing blade 160 is carried by the opener 150 in a positionsuch that the cutter is engaged with the previously described boundarysurface 76 on the container and caused to rotate about an axis 162inclined away from the seam 32, as shown in FIG. 17. It will beunderstood that the inclined axis 162 is the axis of the cutter 160 andthat the cutter rotates about its own axis as it progresses around theseam, as will be described.

The cutter 160 itself is a part of arotor indicated generally by thenumber 164. Preferably, the rotor 164 includes a truncated conicalelement 166 adapted to fittangentially against the outer cover hook fold44 as the cutter 160 is engaged with the boundary surface 76. The cutteris immediately contiguous to the large end of the conical element 166and projects radially outward beyond the conical element 166, to shearthrough the previously described shear segment of the cover hook.

The conical exterior surface of the element 166 is knurled axially toeffect a non-slip engagement with the cover hook which propels theopener circumferentially around the container as the rotor 164 isrotated to open the container, as will be described.

An upper shoulder or flange 168 on the rotor 164 projects radiallyoutward beyond the cutter 160 to overlie the end seam 32, as shown inFIG. 17. A lower shoulder 170 on the rotor 164 projects radially outwardfrom the small end of the conical element 166 to underlie the seam 32,as shown in FIG. 17..

A conical tip 172 formed on the extreme lower end of the rotor 164 isdesigned to fit tangentially against the can body 22.

The rotor 164 is carried by the downwardly projecting end of an inclinedshaft 174 journalled in a laterally projecting car 176 on a slide 178which slidably receives the handle 156 for longitudinal movement alongthe handle. As shown, the shaft 174 projects above the slide 178 andconnects with a winged operating handle 180 which is used to turn therotor 164. A tension spring 182 connected between the slide 178 and thehandle 156 urges the slide to a retracted position, shown in FIG. 15, toretract the rotor 164 away from the roller 152.

The slide 178 is advanced toward the roller 152 by means of a bifurcatedcam lever 184 pivotally mounted on the handle 156 behind the slide. Thecam lever 184 and handle 156 are adapted to be gripped simultaneously inone hand of the user, the grip of the users hand serving to swing thecam lever 184 toward the handle.

' l4 This movement'of the cam lever 184 causes a pair of cam surfaces186 on the cam lever to act against the rear end of the slide 178 toforce the rotor 164 toward the roller .152 to exert a powerfulcompressiveforce on a container seam 32 inserted between the roller 152and the rotor 164.

To open the improved container by means of the simple manual opener 158provided, the user grasps the handle 156 and lever 184 in one hand andplaces the opener in overlying relation to the end seam 32 of thecontainer in the position, illustrated in FIG. 16, in which the roller152 engages the inside of the seam and the rotor 164 engages the outerside of the seam, as recited.

This automatically engages the cutter with the critical boundary surface76 which serves as a guide to locate the cutter in an optimum shearingposition as it is progressed around the container by manual rotary forceapplied to the handle 180. It will be understood that the user rotatesthe handle with one hand, to open the can, whilegrasping the handle 156and lever 184 with the other hand.

. It is noteworthy, in this connection, that because of the inclinedrelationship of the axis 162 of the cutter 160 relative to the axis ofthe container, any specific point on the shearing edge of the cutterapproaches the critical boundary surface 76 by movement through a pathwhich carries the specific point of the shearing edge axially outwardalong the axis of the container, as the point on the shearing edgemoves'radially inward toward the axis of the container. Thus, theshearing edge of the cutter 160 moves through the previously mentionedshear segment 74 of the end scam in a path which is roughly tangent tothe curved body hook surface 54 which is approached by the shearingedge,FIGS. 3 and 17.

This is of advantage in directing the shearing edge into the previouslymentioned annular space 58 in a manner such that locking of the cover onthe body hook after the cover hook is severed is avoided.

The improved can opener 158 is inherently well adapted to bemanufactured at a cost comparing favorably with that of conventional canopeners, and is well suited for use by the housewife.

It will be appreciated that the body 157 of the roller 158 can bemodified to have the barrel shape of the body 87 illustrated in FIG. 12and previously described in relation to the opener structure of thatfigure. This 'modification provides the previously mentioned advantagesin adapting the cover'to serve as a reclosure lid.

Also, the can opener structure illustrated in FIG. 12

and previously described can be supported in a manual opener such asthat illustrated in FIG. 15. In this instance, the shaft 174, FIG. 15,would be mounted parallel to the axis of the roller 152, which in thisinstance would be replaced by the roller 184 of FIG. 12.

Another modified form of the improved can opener provided by theinvention for use in opening the improved container provided by theinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 24, and designated generally bythe number 190. In the preferred con truction shown, the opener 198comprises two levers 192, 194 pivoted in scissoring relation to eachother by a common pivot 196 extending through both levers, as shown.

The lever 192 includes a generally flat jaw portion 198, FIG. 19, whichoverlies a flat jaw portion 201) of the lever 194 when the opener isapplied to a can 20, as shown in FIG. 19. Two handles 202, 204 formed bythe ends of the respective levers 192, 194 opposite from the jaws 198,200 are adapted to be grasped simultaneously in one hand of the user andswung toward each other by the grip of the users hand. 7

Both the levers 192 and 194 are quite simple in construction and welladapted to be economically fabricated from sheet metal.

The flat jaw portion 206 of the lever 194 has a width substantiallygreater than that of the jaw 198 of the lever 192, and has a flat bottomsurface 208, FIG. 20, which is turned into a generally horizontalposition when the opener is placed on a container to be opened, FIG. 19.

Before being placed on a container to be opened, the opener 190 isopened up to receive one end seam 32 of the improved container 20. Thisis effected by swinging the opposed handles 202, 204 away from eachother to effect a similar opening or separation of the jaws 198, 200.The positional relationship of the two levers 192, L04 to each other,when the opener is in its spread or open position, is illustrated inFIG. 20. This effects, as shown, marked spreading of the coacting jaws198, 200 so as to receive the container end seam 32, as will presentlyappear.

With the two levers 192, 194 disposed in spread relation to each otherand the opener turned so that the jaw surface 208 is generallyhorizontal, the opener is lowered onto the container end seam 32 so thata heel or cheek surface 210, formed by a portion of the surface 208located adjacent the lever 198, engages and rests on the upper edge ofthe seam 32, as illustrated in FIGS. 21, 23 and 24. This engagement ofthe cheek or heel surface portion 210 with the top of the end seam 32locates the opener 190 vertically with reference to the end seam.

The jaw 198 of the lever 202 which overlies the jaw 200 of the otherlever 204 includes a flange portion 212 depending from the edge of thejaw 198 more remote from both the pivot 196 and the jaw 200, as shown inFIGS. 19 and 21.

This depending flange 212, which extends laterally across the adjacentedge of the jaw 200, carries a container seam engaging shoe 214 whichprojects toward the opposing jaw 200 in underlying relation to thelatter. The projecting edge 216 of the shoe 214 has an arcuate shapedesigned to fit slidably against the inner surface of the rim portion 40of the container cover'24. The conventional relationships of the partsare such that the shoe 214 engages an arcuate portion of the cover lidhaving a width along the axis of the container which is substantiallyless than the corresponding length of the end seam 32 along the axis ofthe container. Moreover, the cheek surface 210 on the jaw'200, whichengages the end seam 32, and the flange 212 which supports the shoe 214together position the shoe 214 along the axis of the can to engage thecover rim 40 in axial alinernent with the axial mid-portion of the endseam 32. The significance of this positional relationship of the shoe214 to the end seam will be more fully developed presently.

The other jaw 200 carries a support bearing or bushing 220, FIGS. 19 and21, which journals a rotary shaft 222 in generally perpendicularrelation to the plane of the jaw. Hence, when the jaw 200 is placed in agenerally horizontal position in overlying relation to a container endseam 32, the shaft 222 is disposed in a substantially vertical position.The shaft 222 is rotated by a winged grip or handle 224, adapted to berotated by one hand of the user, who uses his other hand to grip the twopreviously mentioned lever handles 202, 204.

The shaft 222 extends downwardly below the jaw 200 and connectsnonrotatably with a composite rotor 226. Scissoring of the two levers192, 194 together, after the opener 190 has been placed on a containerin the manner described, causes the shoe 214 to engage the inside of theend seam 32, as described, and swings the composite rotor 226 radiallyinto engagement with the cylindrical exterior of the container.

The rotor 226 comprises two axially spaced rollers, 228, 230, adapted tosimultaneously engage the container wall 22 below the seam 32.

The. rotor 226 and shaft 222 are mounted on the jaw 200 in a mannerwhich provides a slight degree of axial play of the rotor relative tothe jaw to enable the rotor to shift slightly along the. axis of thecontainer in the course of opening the container, as will presentlyappear. Initially, the upper roller 228 is spaced slightly 16 below theadjacent edge of the seam 32, as shown in FIG. 23.

A main roller 232 fixed to the shaft 222 between the jaw 200 and theroller 228 defines a cylindrical face 234 of substantial axial lengthcut by axial serrations and adapted to engage the outer fold 44 of theend seam 32 below the protuberance 56.

The jaw end of the main roller 232 is fashioned to define a radiallyprojecting circular shearing cutter 236.

The annular cutter 236 projects radially outward beyond the rollersurface 234 and defines a circular shearing edge 238, and a bevelsurface 240 extending radially inward from the edge 238 in a directionwhich slopes upwardly toward the jaw end of the roller 232, as shown.

Swinging of the cutter handles 202, 204 toward each other causes thecutter edge 238 to engage the annular indentation 70 in the end seam 32.Pressure on the handles 202, 204 causes the cutter 236 to shear radiallyinward through the previously described shearing segment of the coverhook to engage the curved surface 54 of the body hook 34.

The relative positions of the parts as the cutter breaks through thecover book are illustrated in FIG. 23.

The bevel 240 which is inclined upwardly from the cutter edge 238displaces the shear portion of the protuberance 56upwardly into a relief250 cut into the underside of the jaw 200, as illustrated in FIGS. 20,23 and 24. This relief 250 allows the severed connecting portion 46 ofthe cover hook to rise above the normal lever of the end seam 32 whilethe surface 210 of the jaw 200 continues toride on the end seam, asdescribed.

After engaging the curved body hook surface 54, the cutter 236 maycontinue to move somewhat radially inward, depending upon the degree towhich the cutter 236 projects radially beyond the serrated cylindricalsurface 234 of the roller 232. However, because of the curvature of thesurface 54 and the angle of incidence of the radial movement of thecutter edge 238 relative to the surface 54, the surface 54 of the bodyhook is not pierced by the cutter edge 238, but diverts the cutter edgeaxially outward so that it harmlessly skids along the body hook.

The previously mentioned axial play of the rotor 226 relative to the jaw200 enables the cutter 236 to slide axially outward relative to the bodyhook.

The opener is moved circumferentially around the container by rotationof the handle 224 to turn the rotor 226, whereby the opener is propelledby engagement of the roller surface 234 with the end seam. Thus producesa combined shearing and tearing action of the cutter 236 on the coverhook which shears it off along the previously described shear segment 74of the cover hook.

The radially outward pressure of the shoe 214 which slides along theinner surface of the cover rim 40 causes the engaged portion of thecover rim to swell radially outward. This is facilitated by shaping thearcuate shoe 214- so that the edge 216 is slightly round, as viewed inradial section.

This is of advantage in deforming the rim 40 and the adjacent portion ofthe container 20, to facilitate retention of the cover on the containerupon replacement of the cover on the container. This swaging action ofthe cover and container body is similar to that previously described inrelation to the action of the opener illustrated in FIG. 12.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not necessarily limited touse of the exact, structure illustrated, but includes the use ofvariants and alternatives within the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A sheet metal container comprising, in combination, a right tubularbody including a peripheral wall having at one end thereof an annularbody hook turned back and encircling the adjacent'end of said body wall,said body hook including a flange radially offset outwardly from 17 theadjacent surface of said body wall and joined to the adjacent end of thebody wall by a rounded connecting portion which turns radially andprogressively inward from said flange to merge with the adjacent end ofsaid body Wall, a cover extending across one end of the container andincluding a peripheral cover hook encircling said body hook, said coverhook comprising an outer fold whichencircles the body hook flange inclosely embracing relationship and an inner fold turned under the bodyhook flange so that the body hook flange fits between the inner andouter folds of the cover hook, said cover being shaped to provide aclosure portion offset substantially inwardly of the end of thecontainer to provide a chuck wall having substantial axial length andfitting snugly against the inner surface of the adjacent end of the bodyWall from the juncture of said body hook with the body wall for asubstantial distance axially inward of said juncture to provide acomplementary contact closure, the end portion of the body wall beingshaped to avoid constriction in an axially outward direction of thetransverse sectional area of the space encircled by the end portion ofthe body wall along the chuck wall, the outer fold of the cover hookbeing integrally joined to the cover through an intervening connectingsegment which snugly overlies at least a portion of the roundedconnecting portion of the body hook, said intervening connecting segmentincluding a circumferential indentation adjacent the juncture of saidsegment with the outer fold of the cover hook and a circumferentialprotuberance bounding the axially outward side of said indentation andlocated toward and not beyond the axially outermost extremity of saidconnecting segment with the minimum radial dimension of said indentationbeing substantially less than the outermost radial dimension of theouter fold of the cover hook and with the outermost radial dimension ofsaid protuberance being substantially no greater than the outermostradial dimension of the outer fold of the cover hook thereby protectingthe protuberance and indentation against damage from impact, saidprotuberance defining interiorly thereof an annular space with theoutermost radial dimension thereof substantially less than the outermostradial dimension of the outer fold of the cover hook.

2. A sheet metal container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said chuckwall and the inner surface of the adjacent end of the body wall areprovided with interengaging shaped portions to provide a snap actionremovable cover upon severing of the cover along said indentation.

3. A sheet metal container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sealingcompound is provided between the body hook and the encircling portionsof the cover hook.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS J/Iowl 1535 OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CURRECTION Patent No, 3 l39 2ll v June 301964 Peter Bogner' deceased by Edward S, Foltz Jru D .Wadministrator Itis hereby certified that error appears in the above'numbered patentrequiring correction'and that the said Letters Patent should read ascorrected below.

Column 2 line 61 for 'fcar! read can column 3 line 6O for coating read--qcoacting columno, line 12 for 'segments" read =--=segment ee-g column7 line S for "sifinificance" read; -significance column 8 line 60 for"cuter" read -cutter g column le line 48 for "Thus" read This Signed andsealed this l7th day of November 19640 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents ERNEST W0 SWIDER AttostingOfficer

1. A SHEET METAL CONTAINER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A RIGHT TUBULARBODY INCLUDING A PERIPHERAL WALL HAVING AT ONE END THEREOF AN ANNULARBODY HOOK TURNED BACK AND ENCIRCLING THE ADJACENT END OF SAID BODY WALL,SAID BODY HOOK INCLUDING A FLANGE RADIALLY OFFSET OUTWARDLY FROM THEADJACENT SURFACE OF SAID BODY WALL AND JOINED TO THE ADJACENT END OF THEBODY WALL BY A ROUNDED CONNECTING PORTION WHICH TURNS RADIALLY ANDPROGRESSIVELY INWARD FROM SAID FLANGE TO MERGE WITH THE ADJACENT END OFSAID BODY WALL, A COVER EXTENDING ACROSS ONE END OF THE CONTAINER ANDINCLUDING A PERIPHERAL COVER HOOK ENCIRCLING SAID BODY HOOK, SAID COVERHOOK COMPRISING AN OUTER FOLD WHICH ENCIRCLES THE BODY HOOK FLANGE INCLOSELY EMBRACING RELATIONSHIP AND AN INNER FOLD TURNED UNDER THE BODYHOOK FLANGE SO THAT THE BODY HOOK FLANGE FITS BETWEEN THE INNER ANDOUTER FOLDS OF THE COVER HOOK, SAID COVER BEING SHAPED TO PROVIDE ACLOSURE PORTION OFFSET SUBSTANTIALLY INWARDLY OF THE END OF THECONTAINER TO PROVIDE A CHUCK WALL HAVING SUBSTANTIAL AXIAL LENGTH ANDFITTING SNUGLY AGAINST THE INNER SURFACE OF THE ADJACENT END OF THE BODYWALL FROM THE JUNCTURE OF SAID BODY HOOK WITH THE BODY WALL FOR ASUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE AXIALLY INWARD OF SAID JUNCTURE TO PROVIDE ACOMPLEMENTARY CONTACT CLOSURE, THE END PORTION OF THE BODY WALL BEINGSHAPED TO AVOID CONSTRICTION IN AN AXIALLY OUTWARD DIRECTION OF THETRANSVERSE SECTIONAL AREA OF THE SPACE ENCIRCLED BY THE END PORTION OFTHE BODY WALL ALONG THE CHUCK WALL, THE OUTER FOLD OF THE COVER HOOKBEING INTEGRALLY JOINED TO THE COVER THROUGH AN INTERVENING CONNECTINGSEGMENT WHICH SNUGLY OVERLIES AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE ROUNDEDCONNECTING PORTION OF THE BODY HOOK, SAID INTERVENING CONNECTING SEGMENTINCLUDING A CIRCUMFERENTIAL INDENTATION ADJACENT THE JUNCTURE OF SAIDSEGMENT WITH THE OUTER FOLD OF THE COVER HOOK AND A CIRCUMFERENTIALPROTUBERANCE BOUNDING THE AXIALLY OUTWARD SIDE OF SAID INDENTATION ANDLOCATED TOWARD AND NOT BEYOND THE AXIALLY OUTERMOST EXTREMITY OF SAIDCONNECTING SEGMENT WITH THE MINIMUM RADIAL DIMENSION OF SAID INDENTATIONBEING SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE OUTERMOST RADIAL DIMENSION OF THEOUTER FOLD OF THE COVER HOOK AND WITH THE OUTERMOST RADIAL DIMENSION OFSAID PROTUBERANCE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY NO GREATER THAN THE OUTERMOSTRADIAL DIMENSION OF THE OUTER FOLD OF THE COVER HOOK THEREBY PROTECTINGTHE PROTUBERANCE AND INDENTATION AGAINST DAMAGE FROM IMPACT, SAIDPROTUBERANCE DEFINING INTERIORLY THEREOF AN ANNULAR SPACE WITH THEOUTERMOST RADIAL DIMENSION THEREOF SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE OUTERMOSTRADIAL DIMENSION OF THE OUTER FOLD OF THE COVER HOOK.